The storks (family Ciconiidae) are a family of birds belonging to the monotypic order Ciconiiformes.
The family comprises 20 species in 6 genera. Genus Anastomus (2 species) includes openbills and some species of genus Leptoptilos (3 species) are known as adjutants. Genera Mycteria (4 species), Jabiru (1 species) and Ephippiorhynchus (2 species) include storks found in tropical latitudes, while true storks of genus Ciconia (8 species) is also found in temperate latitudes.
Lumphini Park, Bangkok, Thailand, 23 Aug 2024
Asian openbill
Anastomus oscitans
Resident in open woodlands across Subsaharan Africa. This species has been domesticated for centuries, likely since Ancient Egypt times. Populations of feral individuals have established elsewhere, as some individuals I have observed in Madagascar. Within the native range, I have seen this species in moist savanna in Kenya.
Lake Oloiden near Naivasha, Kenya, 2 Feb 2024
Marabou stork
Leptoptilos crumenifer
Endemic to dry savanna and thornscrub of East Africa. Particularly social, often traveling in large flocks that have served as a study model for research on bird behavior and social relationships in Laikipia County, Kenya, where I have observed this species.
Lake Oloiden near Naivasha, Kenya, 2 Feb 2024
Yellow-billed stork
Mycteria ibis
Endemic to dry savanna and thornscrub of East Africa. Particularly social, often traveling in large flocks that have served as a study model for research on bird behavior and social relationships in Laikipia County, Kenya, where I have observed this species.
Bang Pu Recreational Area near Bangkok, Thailand, 26 Aug 2024
Painted stork
Mycteria leucocephala
Endemic to dry savanna and thornscrub of East Africa. Particularly social, often traveling in large flocks that have served as a study model for research on bird behavior and social relationships in Laikipia County, Kenya, where I have observed this species.
Lake Oloiden near Naivasha, Kenya, 2 Feb 2024
Saddle-billed stork
Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
Endemic to dry savanna and thornscrub of East Africa. Particularly social, often traveling in large flocks that have served as a study model for research on bird behavior and social relationships in Laikipia County, Kenya, where I have observed this species.
Mpala Research Center, Laikipia, Kenya, 27 Jan 2024
Black stork
Ciconia nigra
Endemic to dry savanna and thornscrub of East Africa. Particularly social, often traveling in large flocks that have served as a study model for research on bird behavior and social relationships in Laikipia County, Kenya, where I have observed this species.
Mpala Research Center, Laikipia, Kenya, 27 Jan 2024
White stork
Ciconia ciconia
Endemic to dry savanna and thornscrub of East Africa. Particularly social, often traveling in large flocks that have served as a study model for research on bird behavior and social relationships in Laikipia County, Kenya, where I have observed this species.
Mpala Research Center, Laikipia, Kenya, 27 Jan 2024
Abdim’s stork
Ciconia abdimii
Endemic to dry savanna and thornscrub of East Africa. Particularly social, often traveling in large flocks that have served as a study model for research on bird behavior and social relationships in Laikipia County, Kenya, where I have observed this species.
Kinabatangan River, Sabah, Malaysia, 17 Jul 2024
Storm’s stork
Ciconia stormi
Endemic to dry savanna and thornscrub of East Africa. Particularly social, often traveling in large flocks that have served as a study model for research on bird behavior and social relationships in Laikipia County, Kenya, where I have observed this species.
Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala, India, 9 Jan 2025
Asian woolly-necked stork
Ciconia episcopus
Endemic to dry savanna and thornscrub of East Africa. Particularly social, often traveling in large flocks that have served as a study model for research on bird behavior and social relationships in Laikipia County, Kenya, where I have observed this species.
